New Look Blazers Looking To Improve On Dismal Year Febuary 2, 2000
KAMLOOPS, BC- The Kamloops Bears are no more. The franchise, which moved
to British Columbia from Truro, N.S. after being purchased by Paul Glass
last August, is now going with a completely new look. In an effort to
revamp its image, the team will now be known as the Kamloops Blazers.
"We don't want to be associated with the Bears franchise. This team is
bright and young, and in a few seasons, we look to make the playoffs,"
Glass said at a press conference this morning.
When asked who he was thinking of drafting with the second overall pick
in tomorrow's FA draft Glass had this to say: "We have two players in
mind. Hidalgo may be the best all around kid available, but we have so
many outfielders in our system that I don't know what to do with them!
Right now, we're looking at 3B Michael Barrett and P Kelvim Escobar.
Both of these guys are young enough to improve substantially and have
the skills to start at the PVBL level right away. We'll have to see who
goes #1 and decide from there."
Rumours were circulating that the Blazers were attempting to acquire the
#1 pick in the draft but according to Glass, this isn't true. "We spoke
to (Medina GM) Randy a few times but our sources tell us that this pick
is probably going to be traded to someone else who can offer a lot more
than we can."
The Blazers have all but given up their search for a decent young
catcher as they have determined that very few exist in the league. "Any
team with a young, quality catcher should thank their lucky stars,"
Glass was quoted as saying this afternoon.
The Blazers have a surplus of young quality OF, and are looking to deal
at least two of the following players: Angel Kaat, Bubba Trammell,
Brooks Kieschnick and Rod Myers.
Kaat, who has been bounced around the league since being drafted is
available to anyone who has a young stud pitcher to offer. For the right
pitcher, we will even add ANOTHER prospect to the mix. For those of you
who are unaware, Kaat's potentials are 90 90 43 and from the way he's
improved so far this offseason, I would be very surprised if he doesn't
reach them.
